But were still a key player - especially when compared to other European countries. The UK has the largest technology market of any country in Europe with £8 billion spent each year. That accounts for almost 15% of the £140 billion spent throughout Europe annually.

A British-made tablet PC that is as thin and flexible as a sheet of paper is due to be unveiled to the world at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The prototype has been developed by Plastic Logic, in partnership with Intel and Queen's University, who say it will "revolutionise" the PC market.

The PaperTab on display at the Nevada technology show, which opens tomorrow, has a 10.7" plastic display, a flexible touch screen and is powered by an Intel processor.

Roel Vertegaal, Director of Queen’s University’s Human Media Lab, said: “Within five to ten years, most computers, from ultra-notebooks to tablets, will look and feel just like these sheets of printed color paper.”